Belle of the Brawl (Alphas Series #3) [NOOK Book]

Overview

Eccentric billionaire Shira Brazille founded the super-exclusive Alpha Academy to nurture the next generation of exceptional dancers, writers, musicians, and inventors. It's a dream come true for one hundred lucky girls, but those not measuring up will be sent home at any time, for any reason. The one left standing will win worldwide fame. Who will it be?

More About
This Book

Overview

Eccentric billionaire Shira Brazille founded the super-exclusive Alpha Academy to nurture the next generation of exceptional dancers, writers, musicians, and inventors. It's a dream come true for one hundred lucky girls, but those not measuring up will be sent home at any time, for any reason. The one left standing will win worldwide fame. Who will it be?

Skye Hamilton
For Skye, breaking boys' hearts is easier than one-two-plie. But if she hurts emo-freak Sydney, Shira will send her packing. Skye's only choice? Make him dump her first! But how can she convince robo-Romeo she's not his Juliet?

Charlie Deery
Charlie's brilliant brain designed almost everything on Alpha Island, but her broken heart could never get over Darwin Brazille. Now she has a chance to get him back. But to say hello to true love, she may have to say buh-bye to her friendship with Allie A...

Allie A. Abbot
After being exposed as an Allie J. imposter, Allie A. is as worthless as a five time markdown on the clearance shoe rack. But the real stain on her suede bootie? She still hasn't found her talent. And with girls leaving faster than you can say "Beta", will Allie A. be the next to go?

Meet the Author

More by this Author

Lisi Harrison is the author of The Clique, Alphas and Monster High series. She was the Senior Director of Production Development at MTV and Head Writer for MTV Production. Lisi is currently pretending to write her next novel.

Read an Excerpt

Belle of the Brawl

Poppy

1

ZEN CENTER MEDITATION POOL

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH 8:28 A.M.

“OHHMMMMM.”

As she sat in full lotus position on a silver blue yoga mat, Charlie Deery’s Chap Sticked lips formed a perfect circle as she chanted the sacred sound of the universe. But while her mouth was saying om, her mind was screaming ommmhmuhgud. Scared had become the new sacred.

She opened one coffee-brown eye and peeked at Alpha Academy’s holographic meditation yogi.

The chubby monk—or “Chunk”—wore a flowing saffron robe and floated a few inches above the Zen Center’s meditation pool. Conceived by Shira Brazille, head Alpha and creator of the academy’s @-shaped island, Tran’s purpose was to teach the girls at the fiercely competitive high school how to relax. And it was completely stressing Charlie out.

The meditation courtyard in the belly of the Buddha-shaped Zen Center should have been a calming respite, but after last night, Charlie wouldn’t have been able to find peace at a Woodstock reunion. After one more deep inhalation of jasmine-scented air Charlie gave up.

“Sorry, Tran,” she sighed, her mahogany bangs blowing up off her forehead. “I just can’t focus.”

Tran’s puffy cheeks expanded with his smile, slicing his double chin into a quad. His eyes crinkled into crescents as his hologram face flickered out for a split-second and then reappeared. “Buddha says: The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.”

“I don’t even know which way is up,” Charlie answered, her voice shaken by confusion and stirred with exhaustion. She had spent the night playing ref to an endless wrestling match between her heart and her brain, and still, there was no clear winner in sight.

She lifted her eyes to the patch of blue sky above the meditation courtyard. But instead of neon-colored parrots and personal airplanes, she saw a cloud-shaped Darwin and Allie, each silently imploring her to choose a side—their side.

“You are still looking outside yourself for answers,” he said, patting his virtual heart. “Look in.”

“How?” Charlie asked, her sage-rage mounting.

Tran flickered again. He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn’t want to hear it. The only thing Charlie wanted to “look in” was a pint of Tell Me What to Do Before I Go Nuts ice cream. Was he ever going to give her some real advice? If not she’d be better off with a Magic 8 Ball. At least that gave answers.

“Namaste,” she said, aiming her aPod at his muffin top, and pushing END SESSION. “Namaste,” he bowed and then disintegrated.

Now what?

She never should have let Shira connive her into breaking up with Darwin. She never should have convinced Allie to date him so she could keep tabs on him. She never should have confessed to Darwin that the dump was committed under duress. And she never should have stood there when he said he wanted her back. Because she had already promised him to Allie. But was he hers to promise?

Loyalty vs. Love? Head vs. Heart? BFFs vs. BFs? The answer was harder to come by than an iPad 4G.

Charlie unwound her legs from lotus position and reached toward the stone bench where she’d set down her breakfast, a frosted beaker full of a brain-stimulating protein shake specially concocted for invention majors. She placed the silver straw between her lips and took an aggressive sip. Hopefully the ice-cold green goo would cause brain freeze and grant her a moment of much-needed peace. But instead, all the green tea, ginger, and honey blend left behind was the metallic tinge of panic on her tongue and a mild stomachache.

Double now what?

Charlie pulled out her aPod again and began pacing the perimeter of the meditation courtyard like a caged circus lion. She had one option left. Thumbing the screen she located the Alpha Class Selector app and started to scroll through her options to see what else she could add to her schedule. Overwhelmed by the 322 current courses, Charlie decided to start with the A’s and quickly selected Acrobatics, Animation, Arabic, and Astronomy, bringing her total class periods up to eleven. Now she wouldn’t have a spare second to fret about her life.

6:00 p.m. AERODYNAMIC TRAPEZE Soar to the top of your potential—Alphas dare to fly. Achilles Track

8:00 p.m. ASTRONOMY/ASTROLOGY Harness the constellations and reach for the stars. Delphi Observatory

Setting her aPod down next to what remained of her breakfast, Charlie took a few cautious steps toward the reflection pool and leaned over until she could see herself in the placid water. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her bare shoulders, going over the situation for the hundredth time. Her relationships were tied in more knots than a cable-knit sweater. Wherever she pulled, she would end up with the same result: her life unraveling.

Best friend or boyfriend? Who should she choose? Who would she lose? She turned away from the pool and walked to the Zen garden, a rectangular patch of sand encrusted with polished pink quartz and black obsidian rocks. Picking up a small rake, she began to scratch a list of pros and cons into the sand.

I have a best friend for the first time in my life—and I don’t want to lose her. Darwin is my soul mate. How can I pick a girl I just met over the boy I’ve loved my entire life?

Enrolling in Alpha Academy is all about making the most of myself. I need to impress Shira, not worry about Darwin! But how can I be my best self without Darwin, the one person who makes me feel most confident and secure?

If Darwin and I are meant to be it will happen for us… someday. Why not let Allie be happy in the short term? Wait! Darwin doesn’t even like Allie. He likes me! Turning him down for Allie won’t make a difference for their relationship.

Darwin and I are young. A break might be healthy. Brakes are only good for one thing—screeching to a stop.

Charlie nibbled her cuticles and studied her list. One wrong yank and the fabric of her life would collapse.

“Buddha? What should I do?” Charlie shouted up through the cavity of the giant deity. Her low, sensible voice struck her as screechy and desperate as it echoed off the hammered-silver walls. “I need a sign. And I need it fast.” She turned in a slow circle, like a satellite searching for a signal. A bird passed over the open sky above—was that the sign? Was it telling her to leave? Charlie bit her lip and struggled to interpret it, but it was so vague.

Ping!

A text from Buddha! How very modern.

She ran to her aPod.

Allie: Where R U? Hash browns at brkfst!

A slow smile spread across her face.

“Thanks, Buddha,” Charlie whispered, stepping out into the tropical sunshine of Alpha Island. She yanked the elastic out of her ponytail and liberated her brown waves. She had her answer. She finally knew what to do. The only question left was: could she go through with it?

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Ah-mazing Read

Since the seventh grade ( I am now a high schooler) I have followed the journey of Massie Block and the Pretty Committee with the intensity of two boulders crashing together. At the beginning of the eighth grade, I was pleased to see that Lisi harrison was expanding her writing talent in a new novel rightly named " Alphas".
Was I hooked by the novel by the first page. Yes, and no. For though I fell in love with seeing Skye, Allie and Charlie, I put it down and continued my obsession with the clique. When her second book came out I gave it another gander but found I once again lost my interest and moved on.
Last summer I suffered through a journey of self doubt and pity that as humans we all go through. By sheer bore-dome I downloaded Alphas to my ipod and listened to it while I cleaned my room ( obviously not the whole thing, my room was nawt that messy). I found myself hooked to the words that Lisi had written, and ended up playing the audio book twice in the span of 72 hours.It was like looking out of your bedroom window for a whole two minutes. You have always seen it, it's always been their, but now you get a new perspective in your mind.
I have seen Lisi at her greatest and not so greatest moments and am glad to see that she ( unlike her writing leads on) is not a Massie or any one of her characters that she writes about. I also received a copy of her newest book in the ALPHAS series and read it in three hours. Though I question the sudden change in Syd's personality, she develops her characters with lightening speed in a way that makes perfect sense and that relates to the life of a normal person. She leads things up in a way where you can expect what is going to happen but are cautious for something unexpected. Once again Lisi has managed to capture my attention and my heart through her writing. I can't wait to see more from her.

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Charlie & Darwin

Like this series so far, but if Charlie gives up Darwin in this series i will be peeved. Allie isn't Alpha material, conducted fraud, and if they start if off as Charlie having a relationship with him for liek ever, and decide to end it in the series it will be depressing thats all i have to say

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted March 11, 2012

The clique series

I have read all of these books from #1-#50... that's right there fifty books in the clique series! Who knew there could be so many books in one series. It all starts with one book: My Little Phony by Lisi Harrison and it goes on from there. If you like: feuding, shopping brands, action, beauty, romance, and betrayal in your books then this series is for you. WARNING: MAY HAVE CURSE WORDS OCCASIONALLY IN THE BOOKS!!!! AND ALSO THESE BOOKS ARE HIGHLY GIRLY!!!! ;)

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 28, 2012

Im so gona read this

I havent read this one yet but ive read the first two and i LUV lisi so i think im gonna read it

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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RoyalCupcake

Posted August 22, 2011

I Also Recommend:

I Heart This Book Almost As Much As The CLIQUE!

I seriously didn't believe the Alphas would be better than the Clique. I am toe-dally wrong. I liked that it wasn't completely about having the most money, best designer wardrobes, or the hawtest boys. This one is about playing to your strengths and being your best. If your best isn't the best, you're nawt an Alpha. Unfortunate, yes. Truth, yes. This book is fabulous, yes.

I fully recommend this!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for Teens Read Too

Skye, Charlie, and Allie are back, this time extremely boy crazy. Nothing can be worse than having to attend dance boot camp - and with Triple, of all people, as the instructor. That is until Skye discovers that Shira's son, Sydney, has a major crush on her. Doesn't help that his style is anything but alpha boyfriend material, so what's a girl to do when her mind is set on the guy's brother, Taz? One thing is for sure, Skye needs to drop Sydney in a way that won't make her a beta. After Allie was revealed to be a different Allie - Allie A., that is - her world turned upside down. On the brink of becoming a social outcast, Allie needs to find her talent, stat! Maybe Allie's recent troubles will help her channel a more dramatic side of herself. Charlie still can't get over Darwin; however, Allie can't either. Darwin seems to still be interested in Charlie, but Charlie can't ruin her friendship with Allie, especially since it practically just began. Her only solution is to get Allie's mind onto Darwin's brother, Melbourne. But is Allie willing to move on from Darwin, or is Charlie going to have to resort to putting her friend first? As the second to last book in the series, BELLE OF THE BRAWL continues its momentum with plenty of boy drama, finding their identities, and doing everything they can to NOT get kicked out of Alpha Academy. Fans of the first two ALPHAS books will be satisfied with Harrison's newest installment as Allie becomes more developed as a character, Charlie gets squeal-worthy scenes, and Skye gets her just desserts, all the while hoping to dance the competition away.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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HEYYYYYY

Posted November 19, 2010

IDK???????

i ahvent read it yet but, i thnik she should get back with darwin. she has loved him for like ever so why should she give him up? but also he is kinda a player bcause after he cause he moved on imedietly to allie and when he found oout about her he went to aj and finnaly goes back to charlie so idk anymore!!!!!!!!

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 24, 2014

Oh my god amazingness!

So I'm on the 4th one now. I've read three in 2 days because I cannot put this book down. It's amazing I love Allie Skye and Charlie. I haven't read the clique but I still love this author already!

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Anonymous

Posted November 9, 2014

Awesome

Great book

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Anonymous

Posted May 25, 2014

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Anonymous

Posted May 25, 2014

Sweet Death

Actually, I used to watch the anime. But I still had to to get on a w-i-k-i and look up the attributes. My apps are at bpony res 1-6. You don't have to put in all of them. By the way, great job so far.

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Anonymous

Posted May 25, 2014

Bakugan Brawl #1

"Hello Human.",LightBug said. I was wondering who he or she was."Hey what's your name and gender little guy or gal?",I asked."MY NAME IS MUSKEETO AND I'M A MALE!",LightBug said.

"Ok jeez,but I'll call you LightBug.",I said. LightBug was wondering about the name."Ok I like the name.",LightBug said. "I was about to chat with my friends wanna join?",I asked LightBug.

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Anonymous

Posted February 19, 2013

Gill grunt

Fish face addhdhfvbgdfhcfhrjdhcgfg

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Anonymous

Posted December 29, 2012

Um...

It is saying the book is just a sample!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted October 30, 2012

My name is Mya

I ABSOLUTLY HATTTTTEEEEE LISIS

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted February 23, 2012

Alpha 100%

Im such an alpha i luv these books so much i just keep reading and reading the whole series. What i want is that for lisi harrison to keep on making these book. Who is with me now i also have a first series before this , but this serie is a close second. Just because this series is over doesn't mean you have to stop reading this.

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Anonymous

Posted February 16, 2012

Great read!

I love this book. Lisi harrison is such a great author!

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Anonymous

Posted January 22, 2012

Alphas rule!

After reading the first chapter i cant put it down.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 29, 2011

Loved it!

This book is my favorite so far in the alpha series. Lisi really out did herself in this book! A must read in my opinion. I cant wait to read the next one and see how this amazing story ends!

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Anonymous

Posted December 27, 2011

I luved thus book

This book was amazing i luv Lisi and all of her books cant wait to read more!!!

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